Even though I know I have more yarn and more fabric than I’ll probably ever use, there’s so much value in my stashes, and yours too I’m sure, that I don’t feel bad or extravagant or overly indulgent by having what I have. There’s going to come a day soon . . when Vince retires, and even though we hopefully won’t be destitute, I probably will have to watch what I spend.
There was a time when I had a hard time using stash fabric. I only wanted to buy more but now, I can find pretty much everything I need (assuming I quilt!) to make anything I want to make and I really have no burning desire to visit quilt shops or buy fabric. One reason is that I only use tone on tone fabrics and how many reds or blues or yellows do you need when they’re so close to being solid?
Yarn . . that’s a bit different. I’m getting there but I love all the colors in yarns so with each new addition to my favorite fabric stores, I want some or ALL of it! But I’m finding satisfaction in digging through the stash and finding yarns I can use.
Last night I was looking at some of my old invoices. My first order with The Loopy Ewe was in November, 2009 and it was a yarn that is no longer available. The next invoice was also in November, 2009 and it was for Malabrigo Sock, which was $18.25 per skein and today it’s $18.50. Not much of an increase there. Also in November of that year, I purchased Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock which was $22 per skein at TLE. Back then, you had to buy two skeins so actually, it was $11/skein.
2011 Invoice
At Eat, Sleep, Knit, in 2008, Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock was $21 for two skeins (same yardage as one skein now) and nowadays, that yarn is $25/skein.
Yarn Invoice
Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in 2011 was $18 per skein. Now, it’s $22/skein. $4 isn’t a huge difference but it takes 5 skeins to make whatever I was making (and I think I later added an extra skein .. and still haven’t made that sweater!) Many sweater projects take 8 skeins or more. That sweater would now cost $32 more than it did in 2011.
So . . you see, those of us with hefty stashes . . it’s like money the bank. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.
pattilynn9 says
Bank of Judy! 😉
vivoaks says
Exactly!! I don’t have the yarn stash you do, but my fabric stash is saving me a ton of money! With the cost of fabrics at $12 and $14 a yard now, I’ve got yards and yards that I purchased at $6-8 a yard. The higher the costs go, the better I’m doing! Right?I agree with your story, and I’ll stick with it too!! 🙂
Carolyn says
Fabric prices are what keeps me out of the quilt shops. I, too, am thankful for my more than adequate stash. Plus if I should want to purchase fabric it’s more than a 75 miles one way to the closest quilt shop. I also rug hook and yes, there is a good stash of patterns on linen plus the wool needed for several projects. Having a stash actually keeps me out of those stores…for now.
Carolyn says
I live more an more by the an old saying from the Depression era….”Use it up, wear it out, make do and do without.”
Sherrill says
GAH!!! I don’t knit and what I crochet are baby hats but even back when I was making afghans, I never paid anywhere near that for yarn!!! I can’t imagine..and just figuring the costs and time, that’s exactly why I buy my sweaters!! LOL I can go, try them on, see how they fit and look on me and buy it if everything’s good.
Joyce says
I always say that my yarn stash is my retirement fund…
Nancy says
The same thing applies to a fabric stash. The price per yard has really increased the last few years. What did cast about 8.99 per yard is anywhere from 12.49 and up. I am wealth in my stash.
That is my story and I am sticking with it.
dezertsuz says
It’s an excellent story, too. =) When I started having the money to stash, good fabrics were 7-8 a yard and now it’s 11-13, so it would be nice if I still had access to that stash. LOL But I don’t sew the same way any more, so it’s alright. In those days, I called it my 401F. So that would make this your 401Y – and you could probably get at least what you paid for today with yarns that are no longer available, or making sweaters to sell, if you needed the money. I suspect you’ll be fine, though. You’ve planned ahead. =)